The scent of pine and cinnamon filled the house, wrapping the holiday season around everything in sight. Twinkling lights framed the windows, and the soft hum of Christmas music played in the background. Lauren adjusted the throw pillows on the couch for the fifth time, chewing her lip as she glanced at the clock.
“They should be here any minute,” she muttered under her breath.
“Relax.” Larry’s voice drifted from behind her, and she turned to see him leaning casually against the kitchen counter, arms crossed. “You’ve been pacing for like, an hour.”
“I have not,” she shot back, crossing her arms defensively.
Larry raised an eyebrow. “You so have.”
Sophie, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her stuffed penguin in her lap, piped up, “You really have, Lauren.”
Lauren groaned. “Okay,
